Must-see nightlife in Québec

  • Big in Japan

    Montréal

    Completely concealed from the street, Big in Japan always amazes first-timers. There you are walking along bustling St-Laurent, you find the unmarked door…

  • La Buvette Chez Simone

    Montréal

    An artsy-chic crowd of (mostly) Francophone bons vivants and professionals loves this cozy wine bar. The staff know their vino and the extensive list is…

  • Griendel Brasserie Artisanale

    Québec City

    Anchor tenant on Rue St-Vallier Ouest in up-and-coming St-Sauveur, Griendel occupies a huge old corner shop with lots of windows and great light. Choose…

  • Le Sacrilège

    Québec City

    With its unmistakable sign of a laughing, dancing monk saucily lifting his robes, this bar has long been the watering hole of choice for Québec's night…

  • Barfly

    Montréal

    Cheap, gritty, loud, fun and a little bit out of control – just the way we like our dive bars. Live bluegrass and rockabilly bands and bedraggled hipsters…

  • The Canal Lounge is a floating cocktail bar built into a renovated boat parked on the Lachine Canal.

    Canal Lounge

    Montréal

    This permanently docked boat-bar nestles along the canal in front of a lovely pedestrian bridge. The over-45-year-old vessel has been converted into an…

  • The interior view of Dominion Square Tavern a British Tavern in downtown Montreal.

    Dominion Square Tavern

    Montréal

    Once a down-and-out watering hole dating from the 1920s, this beautifully renovated tavern recalls a classic French bistro but with a long bar, English…

  • Le Moine Échanson

    Québec City

    A darling of the city’s wine connoisseurs, this convivial brick-walled wine bar and bistro pours an enticing and ever-changing array of wines from all…

  • Majestique

    Montréal

    The Majestique manages to be both kitschy and classy at the same time, with wood-paneled walls, warm lighting and a buck's head presiding over the tables…

  • Crew Café

    Old Montréal

    Easily the most spectacular cafe in Montréal, Crew converted the old Royal Bank into a caffeine and laptop powerhouse. Order from a teller, then sip green…

  • Whisky Café

    Montréal

    Cuban cigars and fine whiskies are partners in crime at this classy 1930s-styled joint, hidden near the industrial sector of the Mile End. The well…

  • L'Oncle Antoine

    Québec City

    Set clandestinely in the vaulted brick cellar of one of the city’s oldest surviving houses (dating from 1754), this great tavern pours excellent Québec…

  • Macfly Bar Arcade

    Québec City

    This bar's Back to the Future-ish name is no accident: the entire interior evokes the 1980s, or at least an idea of what the '80s were about – old-school…

  • Brasserie la Korrigane

    Québec City

    St-Roch’s friendliest microbrewery features a full rainbow of flavors, including specialty brews like Emily Carter blueberry beer, maple-laced…

  • Corsaire Pub

    Québec

    A very short distance from the Lévis ferry landing, this microbrasserie in place for over a decade serves up to a dozen craft beers that change daily;…

  • La Souche Limoilu

    Québec City

    This very comfortable pub spread over two large rustic rooms in the Limoilu district across the St-Charles River serves dozens of its own brews, including…

  • Microbrasserie Ras L'Bock

    Québec

    Live music, strong beer, an outdoor garden where the cool kids hang out and a laid-back vibe that's not afraid to throw down and party – this beloved…

  • Noctem Artisans Brasseurs

    Québec City

    One of the most interesting microbreweries in town, Noctem goes beyond the blonde (lager), blanche (white), rousse (red) and IPA tick list to offer a…

  • Le Darling

    Montréal

    A mix of cafe, cocktail bar and bistro, Le Darling is a one-stop spot for top-notch drinks and bistro-quality eats. Straddling a corner on Blvd St-Laurent…

  • Bar Social Verdun

    Montréal

    A fun neighborhood spot, with outdoor seating, an impressive central bar and live music, Bar Social Verdun is a welcome addition to this up-and-coming…

  • Le Drague

    Québec City

    The star player on Québec City’s tiny gay scene, Le Drague is a large club with an attractive outdoor terrace that gets packed in summer, a dance bar and…

  • La Souche Stoneham

    Québec

    This wonderful pub with a branch in Québec City serves dozens of its own brews, including La Souche Mango #5. The food is mostly a cut above pub grub:…

  • Bar Waverly, in Montreal's Mile End neighborhood, offers satisfying mix of drinking and eating options.

    Bar Waverly

    Montréal

    With its engaging decor and a great location, Bar Waverly has established itself in the Mile End bar scene. A full selection of cocktails is complemented…

  • Les Sœurs Grises

    Old Montréal

    Named after the famous Montréal religious order of nuns founded by St Marguerite d’Youville, this swanky concrete-chic bistro-brasserie is equal parts…

  • Bily Kun

    Montréal

    One of the pioneers of ‘tavern chic,’ Bily Kun is a favorite local hangout for a chilled evening among friends. First-time visitors usually gawp at the…

  • Le Mal Necessaire

    Old Montréal

    For some of the tastiest cocktails in Montréal, look for the neon-lit green pineapple and descend the stairs to this vaguely tiki-inspired bar hidden…

  • Pub Le Baril Roulant

    The Laurentians

    Laid-back and brimming with local color, this microbrewery complements its own creations with a plethora of other brews from the surrounding area. Chill…

  • La Barberie

    Québec City

    This cooperative St-Roch microbrewery, in place since 1997, is beloved for its spacious tree-shaded deck and its ever-evolving selection of some 30 home…

  • Furco

    Montréal

    In a previous life this stylish but industrial hideaway was a fur factory, and its raw concrete pillars, copper bar and modular light fixtures form the…

  • Confessionnal

    Old Montréal

    Playing heavily on churchy themes, Le Confessionnal is a tempting spot to wrack up a few sins. It has low red lighting, a glowing alabaster-like bar and…

  • Biirū

    Montréal

    Despite the name, this colorfully designed izakaya doesn't serve much biirū (beer). What it does have: creative cocktails, tasty snacks and a festive…

  • Café Olimpico

    Montréal

    Its espresso is excellent, yet this rocking, no-frills Italian cafe is all about atmosphere, as young good-looking baristas whip up smooth caffeinated…

  • Le Cheval Blanc

    Montréal

    An icon of Montréal's brewery scene, Le Cheval Blanc has about 10 drafts on hand, all brewed in-house, as well as some Belgian options by the bottle. It's…

  • Siboire

    Eastern Townships

    Sherbrooke's historic train depot houses this atmospheric microbrewery with nearly a dozen beers on tap, including Siboire's own IPA, wheat beer, oatmeal…

  • Bar Datcha

    Montréal

    Datcha is a small night spot with a tiny dance floor that draws a laid-back, groove-loving crowd enveloped in the fog machine. Eclectic DJs from around…

  • Le Magellan Bar

    Montréal

    A good spot to enjoy an evening of eclectic offerings, from jazz to chansons with a craft beer, cocktail or digestif in hand. The interior is sprinkled…

  • Philémon

    Old Montréal

    A major stop for local scenesters rotating between watering holes in the old city, Philémon is carved out of stone, brick and wood with large windows…

  • Flyjin

    Old Montréal

    Flyjin walks a fine line between speakeasy and high-end Asian brasserie, serving up tender sashimi, tuna tataki and green papaya salad to a party-minded…

  • L’Île Noire

    Montréal

    Roll into this slice of the Scottish Highlands in the heart of the Quartier Latin and sip from the selection of more than 140 scotches and whiskeys, as…

  • La Drinkerie Ste-Cunégonde

    Montréal

    Along the popular Rue Notre-Dame you'll find this locally owned bar that's perfect for a relaxing evening drink or a late-night party. Well-crafted…